Residents stay cool

DESPITE the mercury rising common sense is keeping local residents out of harm's way.

With temperatures reaching the mid-30s in recent days, a statewide warning has been issued by health authorities, concerned of a possible rise in heat stress reports.

Queensland Health chief officer Dr Gerry Fitzgerald said very young children and the elderly were particularly at risk.

Dr Fitzgerald said it was important people drank at least one glass of water every hour and avoid dehydrating fluids such as sugary soft drinks, coffee and alcohol. He said people could attempt to keep cool by opening windows or using fans or air conditioning.

Boyne Island Ambulance Station officer-in-charge Merv Doyle said yesterday officers had not treated anyone for stress. However, Mr Doyle said ambulance officers did get the occasional heat stress job during summer. He said people should stay out of the heat where possible between midday and 3pm.

"Signs of heat stress include showing thirst and feeling lethargic,'' Mr Doyle said. "A person can stop perspiring during the later stages. "When people get to this stage they are really quite sick and need serious intervention.